Cycling Fiasco reaches Senate

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Pia Cayetano yesterday called on the country’s top sports officials to get their act together even as she called for a Senate investigation into the cycling fiasco in the recent SEA Games in Laos.

“I will not hesitate to recommend to the Senate Committee on Sports to find whoever is guilty of not performing their functions,” said Cayetano, referring to the turf war between the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee that has affected the morale and performance of the national athletes.

Caught in the crossfire were the 12 cyclists who were barred from competing in the last SEAG after failing to secure the needed license from the Union Cycliste Internationale, which sanctions the RP cycling group not supported by the POC.

“This is a disgrace to us as a nation because our cyclists were unable to compete in the SEAG,” said Cayetano. “They should stop the bickerings.”

Maritess Bitbit, the 13th member of the squad, was actually eligible to compete but was forced to back out after allegedly being persuaded by the POC not to compete and sympathize with her teammates. Bitbit was fancied to contend for three gold medals.

“I really felt bad for the state of cycling. Tess was very close to bringing us three gold medals,” said Cayetano.

“I really regret that this is happening. I call on the sports officials to get their act together and I call on colleagues to investigate this right away. It cannot go on this way,” Cayetano said.

She also called on the President to look into the issue. “I think the President cannot turn a blind eye on this.”

Only Bitbit had the UCI license and had the chance to shoot for her third SEAG gold medal following her victories in the crosscountry race in 2005 in Manila and the road race in Thailand in 2007.

But she had to sign a letter that said the RP team had decided to withdraw as a team as a sign of unity. The POC submitted the letter to the Laos SEAG organizers.

“I am only an athlete willing to represent my country. I merely wanted to bring honor (to the country),” said Bitbit, who was present at the Senate yesterday.